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{{Short description|Southern American adage}}
{{Short description|Southern American adage}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
"'''Thank God for Mississippi'''" is an [[adage]] used in the United States, particularly in the [[Southern United States|South]], that is generally used when discussing rankings of U.S. states.<ref> Key, V. O. ''Southern Politics in State and Nation''. New York: A.A. Knopf, 1949. Print. </ref><!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.newsok.com/health/2013/02/26/thank-god-for-mississippi-or-oklahoma/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi … or Oklahoma? |publisher=Blog.newsok.com |date= |accessdate=May 13, 2013}}</ref>--> Since the U.S. state of [[Mississippi]] commonly ranks at or near the bottom of such rankings, residents of other states also ranking near the bottom may say, "Thank God for Mississippi", since the presence of that state in 50th place spares them the shame of being ranked last.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/News2?id=14125 |title='Thank God for Mississippi' - Church World Service |publisher=Hunger.cwsglobal.org |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>
"'''Thank God for Mississippi'''" is an [[adage]] used in the United States, particularly in the [[Southern United States|South]], that is generally used when discussing rankings of U.S. states.<ref> Key, V. O. ''Southern Politics in State and Nation''. New York: A.A. Knopf, 1949. Print. </ref><!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.newsok.com/health/2013/02/26/thank-god-for-mississippi-or-oklahoma/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi … or Oklahoma? |publisher=Blog.newsok.com |date= |accessdate=May 13, 2013}}</ref>--> Examples include [[List of U.S. states by educational attainment|rankings of educational achievement]], business opportunities,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Scott |date=2022-07-13 |title=America's worst state for business: Mississippi is cheap, but its workforce weak |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/13/workforce-makes-mississippi-americas-worst-state-for-business.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> obesity rates,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-16 |title=Adult Obesity Rates - The State of Childhood Obesity |url=https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916151217/https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/ |archive-date=2022-09-16 |access-date=2022-09-16 }}</ref> overall health,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/7418-tgfm-la-second-unhealthiest-state |title=TGFM: La. second unhealthiest state - The Independent Media Group |publisher=Theind.com |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> the [[List of US states by poverty rate|poverty rate]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Povich |first=Elaine S. |url=http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-09-2010/governor_elections_ar.html |title=Arkansas: Battle for the Statehouse, Governor Election - AARP Bulletin |publisher=Aarp.org |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> [[List of U.S. states by life expectancy|life expectancy]], or other criteria of the quality of life or government in the 50 U.S. states.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/after-148-years-mississippi-finally-ratifies-13th-amendment-which-banned-slavery/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=February 18, 2013 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview of Mississippi |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/mississippi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulo |first=Warren |date=2022-08-16 |title=Study finds Mississippi is nation's worst state in which to live, again |url=https://gulflive.com/news/2022/08/study-finds-mississippi-is-nations-worst-state-in-which-to-live-again.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=gulflive}}</ref>


Since the U.S. state of [[Mississippi]] commonly ranks at or near the bottom of such rankings, residents of other states also ranking near the bottom may say, "Thank God for Mississippi", since the presence of that state in 50th place spares them of being ranked last.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/News2?id=14125 |title='Thank God for Mississippi' - Church World Service |publisher=Hunger.cwsglobal.org |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> The phrase is in use even among state government officials<ref>
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Examples include [[List_of_U.S._states_by_educational_attainment|rankings of educational achievement]], business opportunities,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Scott |date=2022-07-13 |title=America's worst state for business: Mississippi is cheap, but its workforce weak |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/13/workforce-makes-mississippi-americas-worst-state-for-business.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> obesity rates,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-16 |title=Adult Obesity Rates - The State of Childhood Obesity |url=https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916151217/https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/ |archive-date=2022-09-16 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> overall health,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/7418-tgfm-la-second-unhealthiest-state |title=TGFM: La. second unhealthiest state - The Independent Media Group |publisher=Theind.com |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> the [[List of US states by poverty rate|poverty rate]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Povich |first=Elaine S. |url=http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-09-2010/governor_elections_ar.html |title=Arkansas: Battle for the Statehouse, Governor Election - AARP Bulletin |publisher=Aarp.org |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> [[List_of_U.S._states_by_life_expectancy|life expectancy]], or other<ref>{{Cite web |title=After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/after-148-years-mississippi-finally-ratifies-13th-amendment-which-banned-slavery/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview of Mississippi |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/mississippi}}</ref> criteria of the quality of life or government in the 50 states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulo |first=Warren |date=2022-08-16 |title=Study finds Mississippi is nation’s worst state in which to live, again |url=https://gulflive.com/news/2022/08/study-finds-mississippi-is-nations-worst-state-in-which-to-live-again.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=gulflive}}</ref> The phrase is in use even among state government officials<ref>{{cite web|url=http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=2686 |title=Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe | publisher=Governor.arkansas.gov |date=January 11, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/05%20Regular/firs/SB0953.pdf|title=Fiscal Input Report|publisher=Nmlegis.gov|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and journalists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/070430b.shtml |title=Alabama and Mississippi all alone in food-tax policy |publisher=Archive.decaturdaily.com |date=April 30, 2007 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Budd McLaughlin |url=http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2009/08/good_news_for_alabama_business.html |title=Good news for Alabama business &#124; al.com |publisher=Blog.al.com |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westkyjournal.com/news.php?viewStory=4659 |title=Is 'Thank God For Mississippi Or Arkansas' Finally Behind Us? On West Kentucky Journal |publisher=Westkyjournal.com |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stiglitz |first=Joseph E. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_hasbeen/2009/09/thank_god_for_south_carolina.html |title=Joe Wilson does other politically challenged states a favor. - Slate Magazine |publisher=Slate.com |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> though occasionally with a slight modification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Thank+god+for+Mississippi+%28County%29.-a0121643971 |title=Thank god for Mississippi (County). - Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=August 23, 2004 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Brantley |first=Max |url=http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2011/04/07/thank-god-for-mississippi |title=Thank God for Mississippi &#124; Arkansas Blog |publisher=Arktimes.com |date=April 7, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/10/congo-africas-thank-god-for-mississippi-php/ |title=Congo: Africa's 'Thank God for Mississippi' |publisher=Radar Online |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=2686
|title=Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe
|publisher=Governor.arkansas.gov
|date=January 11, 2011
|access-date=May 13, 2013
|url-status=deviated
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121112736/http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=2686
|archive-date=2011-01-21
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/05%20Regular/firs/SB0953.pdf|title=Fiscal Input Report|publisher=Nmlegis.gov|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and journalists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/070430b.shtml |title=Alabama and Mississippi all alone in food-tax policy |publisher=Archive.decaturdaily.com |date=April 30, 2007 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Budd McLaughlin |url=http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2009/08/good_news_for_alabama_business.html |title=Good news for Alabama business &#124; al.com |publisher=Blog.al.com |date= August 29, 2009|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westkyjournal.com/news.php?viewStory=4659 |title=Is 'Thank God For Mississippi Or Arkansas' Finally Behind Us? On West Kentucky Journal |publisher=Westkyjournal.com |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Stiglitz |first=Joseph E. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_hasbeen/2009/09/thank_god_for_south_carolina.html |title=Joe Wilson does other politically challenged states a favor. |journal=Slate Magazine |publisher=Slate.com |date= September 12, 2009|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> though occasionally with a slight modification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Thank+god+for+Mississippi+%28County%29.-a0121643971 |title=Thank god for Mississippi (County). - Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=August 23, 2004 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Brantley |first=Max |url=http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2011/04/07/thank-god-for-mississippi |title=Thank God for Mississippi &#124; Arkansas Blog |publisher=Arktimes.com |date=April 7, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/10/congo-africas-thank-god-for-mississippi-php/ |title=Congo: Africa's 'Thank God for Mississippi' |publisher=Radar Online |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>

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Mississippi's poor reputation is such a common trope in American culture that when Mississippi does rank well in something, the phrase "Thank God for Mississippi" may get brought up just to discuss how it does not apply in the given circumstance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/mississippi-thad-cochran-108289/ |url-status=live |title='Thank God for Mississippi!'|first1=Larry J. |last1=Sabato |first2=Kyle |last2=Kondik |first3=Geoffrey |last3=Skelley |work=[[Politico]] |date=June 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912071014/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/mississippi-thad-cochran-108289/ |archive-date=September 12, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/01/29/which-states-are-the-best-and-worst-at-vaccinating-their-kids/ |url-status=live |title= Which states are the best (and worst) at vaccinating their kids|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307092257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/01/29/which-states-are-the-best-and-worst-at-vaccinating-their-kids/ |archive-date=March 7, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://madisonaudubon.org/blog/2022/7/1/thank-god-for-mississippi |title=Thank God for Mississippi |date=1 July 2022 }}</ref> The saying comes from Mississippi's poor ranking as compared to the other 49 U.S. states, not from a global perspective.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/2012/pdf/gsp0612.pdf |title=WidespreadEconomic Growth Across States In 2011 |work=[[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=December 27, 2012 |page=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616035607/http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/2012/pdf/gsp0612.pdf |archive-date=June 16, 2012 }}</ref><ref>Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2014, made in April 2015. [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2014&ey=2014&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C453%2C960%2C968%2C423%2C922%2C935%2C714%2C128%2C862%2C611%2C135%2C321%2C716%2C243%2C456%2C248%2C722%2C469%2C942%2C253%2C718%2C642%2C724%2C643%2C576%2C939%2C936%2C644%2C961%2C819%2C813%2C172%2C199%2C132%2C733%2C646%2C184%2C648%2C524%2C915%2C361%2C134%2C362%2C652%2C364%2C174%2C732%2C328%2C366%2C258%2C734%2C656%2C144%2C654%2C146%2C336%2C463%2C263%2C528%2C268%2C923%2C532%2C738%2C944%2C578%2C176%2C537%2C534%2C742%2C536%2C866%2C429%2C369%2C433%2C744%2C178%2C186%2C436%2C925%2C136%2C869%2C343%2C746%2C158%2C926%2C439%2C466%2C916%2C112%2C664%2C111%2C826%2C298%2C542%2C927%2C967%2C846%2C443%2C299%2C917%2C582%2C544%2C474%2C941%2C754%2C446%2C698%2C666&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=37&pr.y=10 World Economic Outlook Database-April 2015], [[International Monetary Fund]]. Accessed on 14 April 2015.</ref>


Mississippi's poor reputation is such a common trope in American culture that when Mississippi does indeed rank well in something, the phrase "Thank God for Mississippi" may get brought up just to discuss how it does not apply in the given circumstance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/mississippi-thad-cochran-108289.html|title=‘Thank God for Mississippi!’|author=Larry J. Sabato and Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley|work=POLITICO Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/01/29/which-states-are-the-best-and-worst-at-vaccinating-their-kids/|title= Which states are the best (and worst) at vaccinating their kids|work=The Washington Post}}</ref> The saying comes from Mississippis
⚫
's poor ranking as compared to the other forty-nine states, not from a global perspective. Indeed, while Mississippi may rank below all other U.S. states in many measures, and near the bottom in several others, by raw [[GDP per capita]], at [[USD|$]]28,944, it ranks above [[Saudi Arabia]]'s $24,454, and is equivalent to that of countries such as [[Spain]] and [[Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite press_release | url=http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/2012/pdf/gsp0612.pdf | title=WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS STATES IN 2011 | publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis | date=June 5, 2012 | accessdate=December 27, 2012 | format=PDF | page=7}}</ref><ref>Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2014, made in April 2015. [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2014&ey=2014&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C453%2C960%2C968%2C423%2C922%2C935%2C714%2C128%2C862%2C611%2C135%2C321%2C716%2C243%2C456%2C248%2C722%2C469%2C942%2C253%2C718%2C642%2C724%2C643%2C576%2C939%2C936%2C644%2C961%2C819%2C813%2C172%2C199%2C132%2C733%2C646%2C184%2C648%2C524%2C915%2C361%2C134%2C362%2C652%2C364%2C174%2C732%2C328%2C366%2C258%2C734%2C656%2C144%2C654%2C146%2C336%2C463%2C263%2C528%2C268%2C923%2C532%2C738%2C944%2C578%2C176%2C537%2C534%2C742%2C536%2C866%2C429%2C369%2C433%2C744%2C178%2C186%2C436%2C925%2C136%2C869%2C343%2C746%2C158%2C926%2C439%2C466%2C916%2C112%2C664%2C111%2C826%2C298%2C542%2C927%2C967%2C846%2C443%2C299%2C917%2C582%2C544%2C474%2C941%2C754%2C446%2C698%2C666&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=37&pr.y=10 World Economic Outlook Database-April 2015], [[International Monetary Fund]]. Accessed on 14 April 2015.</ref>
==History==
==History==
The saying has been attributed since before the induction of [[Alaska]] and [[Hawaii]] as states in 1959,<ref>{{cite web|last=Popik |first=Barry |url=http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/thank_god_for_mississippi_thank_heaven_for_mississippi/ |title=The Big Apple: 'Thank God for Mississippi' ('Thank Heaven for Mississippi') |publisher=Barrypopik.com |date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and its use, while found throughout the entire country, is especially common in [[Alabama]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Zengerle |first=Jason |url=https://newrepublic.com/blog/the-plank/mississippi-education |title=Mississippi Is For . . . Education? |publisher=New Republic |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= In Alabama: A County of Hope |first= Thomas R. |last= Brooks |work= Washington Evening Star |page= 152 |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX-NB&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=X52D50VDMTQxODU3ODk4MS4xNzQ3NzY6MToxNToxMzIuMTc0LjI1NC4xNDU&p_action=doc&s_lastnonissuequeryname=2&d_viewref=search&p_queryname=2&p_docnum=2&toc=true&p_docref=v2:13D5DA85AE05A305@EANX-NB-14D8569627A435D6@2441844-14D7B7B5CBC71FB9@151 |quote= "Alabamans have a saying: 'Thank God for Mississippi, or we'd be the poorest state in the nation.'" }}</ref> which shares significant cultural and historical ties with its neighbor and former [[Mississippi Territory]] co-constituent Mississippi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://capstonereport.com/2007/10/15/thank-god-for-mississippi/332/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi |publisher=Capstone Report |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://thisbirdsview.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/thank-god-for-mississippi/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi &#124; This Bird's View |publisher=Thisbirdsview.wordpress.com |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> Its use is also noted in nearby [[Arkansas]] and other frequently low-ranking states such as [[Kentucky]], [[West Virginia]], and [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkindcolleges.org/about/letter-from-the-president/ |title=Letter from the President &#124; Arkansas' Independent Colleges & Universities |publisher=Arkindcolleges.org |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623100656/http://www.arkindcolleges.org/about/letter-from-the-president/ |archive-date=June 23, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Murphy |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/west-virginia-legislator-hatches-plan-rejoin-virginia |title=West Virginia Legislator Hatches Plan to Secede |publisher=Mother Jones |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/02/AR2006120201110.html |title=Now in Mississippi: Four S's, Four I's, And a Dollop of P.R |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=December 3, 2006 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="cluth">{{cite web|last=Cluth |first=Jack |url=http://whatwouldjackdo.net/2009/01/the-texas-state-motto-thank-go.html |title=The (might as well be official) Texas state motto: 'Thank God for Mississippi' |publisher=What Would Jack Do |date=January 11, 2009 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>
The saying has been attributed since before the induction of [[Alaska]] and [[Hawaii]] as states in 1959,<ref>{{cite web|last=Popik |first=Barry |url=http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/thank_god_for_mississippi_thank_heaven_for_mississippi/ |title=The Big Apple: 'Thank God for Mississippi' ('Thank Heaven for Mississippi') |publisher=Barrypopik.com |date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and its use, while found throughout the entire country, is especially common in [[Alabama]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Zengerle |first=Jason |url=https://newrepublic.com/blog/the-plank/mississippi-education |title=Mississippi Is For . . . Education? |magazine=New Republic |date= December 2, 2008|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= In Alabama: A County of Hope |first= Thomas R. |last= Brooks |work= Washington Evening Star |page= 152 |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX-NB&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=X52D50VDMTQxODU3ODk4MS4xNzQ3NzY6MToxNToxMzIuMTc0LjI1NC4xNDU&p_action=doc&s_lastnonissuequeryname=2&d_viewref=search&p_queryname=2&p_docnum=2&toc=true&p_docref=v2:13D5DA85AE05A305@EANX-NB-14D8569627A435D6@2441844-14D7B7B5CBC71FB9@151 |quote= "Alabamans have a saying: 'Thank God for Mississippi, or we'd be the poorest state in the nation.'" }}</ref> which shares significant cultural and historical ties with its neighbor and former [[Mississippi Territory]] co-constituent Mississippi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://capstonereport.com/2007/10/15/thank-god-for-mississippi/332/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi |publisher=Capstone Report |date= October 15, 2007|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://thisbirdsview.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/thank-god-for-mississippi/ |title=Thank God for Mississippi &#124; This Bird's View |publisher=Thisbirdsview.wordpress.com |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> Its use is also noted in nearby [[Arkansas]] and other frequently low-ranking states such as [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Louisiana]], and [[West Virginia]].{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sanders |first1=Nicole |title=Alabama ranks #45 in education, according to a study |url=https://www.wrbl.com/news/alabama-news/alabama-ranks-45-in-education-according-to-a-study/ |website=WRBL News 3 |access-date=November 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/dfw-airport-bad-luck-or-just-bad/ |work=Texas Monthly |title=DFW Airport: Bad Luck or Just Bad? |date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=29 November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkindcolleges.org/about/letter-from-the-president/ |title=Letter from the President |work=Arkansas' Independent Colleges & Universities |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623100656/http://www.arkindcolleges.org/about/letter-from-the-president/ |archive-date=June 23, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Murphy |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/west-virginia-legislator-hatches-plan-rejoin-virginia |title=West Virginia Legislator Hatches Plan to Secede |publisher=Mother Jones |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/02/AR2006120201110.html |title=Now in Mississippi: Four S's, Four I's, And a Dollop of P.R |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=December 3, 2006 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="cluth">{{cite web|last=Cluth |first=Jack |url=http://whatwouldjackdo.net/2009/01/the-texas-state-motto-thank-go.html |title=The (might as well be official) Texas state motto: 'Thank God for Mississippi' |publisher=What Would Jack Do |date=January 11, 2009 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntxe-news.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=35&num=57911 |first=Marc |last=Katz |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Thank God for Mississippi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/tomlinson/article/death-star-labor-laws-texas-cities-18104554.php |title=Tomlinson: To avoid Death Star law, better win elections |date=May 22, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hilburn |first1=Greg |title=Louisiana ranked worst state as pollution, poverty, violence among factors in U.S. News report |url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2024/05/08/louisiana-ranked-worst-state-again-by-us-news-as-violence-poverty-pollution-surge/73610597007/ |website=Shreveport Times |access-date=November 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Patton |first1=Alicia |title=Tennessee ranked among the unhealthiest states in America, according to Forbes |url=https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessee-ranked-among-the-unhealthiest-states-in-america-according-to-forbes/ |website=WKRN.COM |access-date=November 5, 2023}}</ref>}}


The saying has become something of a [[cliché]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://familycouncil.org/?p=1885 |title=Arkansas 4th Most Pro-Life State in the Nation |publisher=Family Council |date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and has seen usage across the nation with regard to rankings both serious<ref name="cluth"/> and trivial,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-state-motto-of-new-mexico.htm |title=What Is the State Motto of New Mexico? |publisher=Wisegeek.com |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santafe.com/blogs/read/thank-god-for-mississippi |title=Thank God for Mississippi - Santa Fe - Live, Work, Play, Stay |publisher=Santa Fe |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and the underlying logic has been extrapolated to other states and even countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liberalconspiracy.org/2013/01/17/how-the-uk-compares-to-other-european-countries-on-poverty |title=How the UK compares to other Europeans on poverty |publisher=Liberal Conspiracy |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>
The saying has become something of a [[cliché]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://familycouncil.org/?p=1885 |title=Arkansas 4th Most Pro-Life State in the Nation |publisher=Family Council |date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> and has seen usage across the nation with regard to rankings both serious<ref name="cluth"/> and trivial,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-state-motto-of-new-mexico.htm |title=What Is the State Motto of New Mexico? |publisher=Wisegeek.com |date= |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santafe.com/blogs/read/thank-god-for-mississippi |title=Thank God for Mississippi |website=SantaFe.com |first=Susan |last=Tungate |date=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510144252/http://www.santafe.com/blogs/read/thank-god-for-mississippi |access-date=May 13, 2013|archive-date=May 10, 2013 }}</ref> and the underlying logic has been extrapolated to other states and even countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liberalconspiracy.org/2013/01/17/how-the-uk-compares-to-other-european-countries-on-poverty |title=How the UK compares to other Europeans on poverty |publisher=Liberal Conspiracy |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>


The growing notoriety of the phrase has led some Mississippians themselves to despise the saying, not because it is false, but because it rings true and puts their state in a bad light. The phrase has been used as an attempt to rally Mississippians towards change.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yallpolitics.com/2018/03/10/opinion-erase-thank-god-for-mississippi-from-wikipedia/|title=OPINION: Erase 'Thank God for Mississippi' from Wikipedia |publisher=yallpolitics.com}}</ref>
The growing notoriety of the phrase has led some Mississippians themselves to despise the saying, not because it is false, but because it rings true and puts their state in a bad light. The phrase has also been used as an attempt to rally Mississippians towards making change.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magnoliatribune.com/2018/03/10/opinion-erase-thank-god-for-mississippi-from-wikipedia/|title=OPINION: Erase 'Thank God for Mississippi' from Wikipedia|first=Sarah|last=Ulmer| date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517204457/https://magnoliatribune.com/2018/03/10/opinion-erase-thank-god-for-mississippi-from-wikipedia/|url-status=live |archive-date = May 17, 2023}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of states and territories of the United States]]
* [[List of states and territories of the United States]]
* [[Education in Mississippi]]
* [[Education in Mississippi]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 03:42, 20 June 2024

"Thank God for Mississippi" is an adage used in the United States, particularly in the South, that is generally used when discussing rankings of U.S. states.[1] Examples include rankings of educational achievement, business opportunities,[2] obesity rates,[3] overall health,[4] the poverty rate,[5] life expectancy, or other criteria of the quality of life or government in the 50 U.S. states.[6][7][8]

Since the U.S. state of Mississippi commonly ranks at or near the bottom of such rankings, residents of other states also ranking near the bottom may say, "Thank God for Mississippi", since the presence of that state in 50th place spares them of being ranked last.[9] The phrase is in use even among state government officials[10][11] and journalists,[12][13][14][15] though occasionally with a slight modification.[16][17][18]

Mississippi's poor reputation is such a common trope in American culture that when Mississippi does rank well in something, the phrase "Thank God for Mississippi" may get brought up just to discuss how it does not apply in the given circumstance.[19][20][21] The saying comes from Mississippi's poor ranking as compared to the other 49 U.S. states, not from a global perspective.[22][23]

History

[edit]

The saying has been attributed since before the induction of Alaska and Hawaii as states in 1959,[24] and its use, while found throughout the entire country, is especially common in Alabama,[25][26] which shares significant cultural and historical ties with its neighbor and former Mississippi Territory co-constituent Mississippi.[27][28] Its use is also noted in nearby Arkansas and other frequently low-ranking states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and West Virginia.[a]

The saying has become something of a cliché,[39] and has seen usage across the nation with regard to rankings both serious[34] and trivial,[40][41] and the underlying logic has been extrapolated to other states and even countries.[42]

The growing notoriety of the phrase has led some Mississippians themselves to despise the saying, not because it is false, but because it rings true and puts their state in a bad light. The phrase has also been used as an attempt to rally Mississippians towards making change.[43]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Key, V. O. Southern Politics in State and Nation. New York: A.A. Knopf, 1949. Print.
  2. ^ Cohn, Scott (July 13, 2022). "America's worst state for business: Mississippi is cheap, but its workforce weak". CNBC. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "Adult Obesity Rates - The State of Childhood Obesity". September 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "TGFM: La. second unhealthiest state - The Independent Media Group". Theind.com. December 8, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Povich, Elaine S. (October 7, 2010). "Arkansas: Battle for the Statehouse, Governor Election - AARP Bulletin". Aarp.org. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  6. ^ "After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery". www.cbsnews.com. February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Overview of Mississippi".
  8. ^ Kulo, Warren (August 16, 2022). "Study finds Mississippi is nation's worst state in which to live, again". gulflive. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "'Thank God for Mississippi' - Church World Service". Hunger.cwsglobal.org. April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  10. ^ "Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe". Governor.arkansas.gov. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Fiscal Input Report" (PDF). Nmlegis.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Alabama and Mississippi all alone in food-tax policy". Archive.decaturdaily.com. April 30, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  13. ^ Budd McLaughlin (August 29, 2009). "Good news for Alabama business | al.com". Blog.al.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  14. ^ "Is 'Thank God For Mississippi Or Arkansas' Finally Behind Us? On West Kentucky Journal". Westkyjournal.com. October 10, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  15. ^ Stiglitz, Joseph E. (September 12, 2009). "Joe Wilson does other politically challenged states a favor". Slate Magazine. Slate.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  16. ^ "Thank god for Mississippi (County). - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. August 23, 2004. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  17. ^ Brantley, Max (April 7, 2011). "Thank God for Mississippi | Arkansas Blog". Arktimes.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  18. ^ "Congo: Africa's 'Thank God for Mississippi'". Radar Online. October 27, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  19. ^ Sabato, Larry J.; Kondik, Kyle; Skelley, Geoffrey (June 25, 2014). "'Thank God for Mississippi!'". Politico. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015.
  20. ^ "Which states are the best (and worst) at vaccinating their kids". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  21. ^ "Thank God for Mississippi". July 1, 2022.
  22. ^ "WidespreadEconomic Growth Across States In 2011" (PDF). Bureau of Economic Analysis (Press release). June 5, 2012. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  23. ^ Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2014, made in April 2015. World Economic Outlook Database-April 2015, International Monetary Fund. Accessed on 14 April 2015.
  24. ^ Popik, Barry (October 11, 2008). "The Big Apple: 'Thank God for Mississippi' ('Thank Heaven for Mississippi')". Barrypopik.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  25. ^ Zengerle, Jason (December 2, 2008). "Mississippi Is For . . . Education?". New Republic. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  26. ^ Brooks, Thomas R. "In Alabama: A County of Hope". Washington Evening Star. p. 152. Alabamans have a saying: 'Thank God for Mississippi, or we'd be the poorest state in the nation.'
  27. ^ "Thank God for Mississippi". Capstone Report. October 15, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  28. ^ "Thank God for Mississippi | This Bird's View". Thisbirdsview.wordpress.com. February 17, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  29. ^ Sanders, Nicole. "Alabama ranks #45 in education, according to a study". WRBL News 3. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  30. ^ "DFW Airport: Bad Luck or Just Bad?". Texas Monthly. August 3, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Letter from the President". Arkansas' Independent Colleges & Universities. March 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  32. ^ Tim Murphy (February 1, 2011). "West Virginia Legislator Hatches Plan to Secede". Mother Jones. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  33. ^ "Now in Mississippi: Four S's, Four I's, And a Dollop of P.R". Washingtonpost.com. December 3, 2006. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  34. ^ a b Cluth, Jack (January 11, 2009). "The (might as well be official) Texas state motto: 'Thank God for Mississippi'". What Would Jack Do. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  35. ^ Katz, Marc (November 2, 2009). "Thank God for Mississippi".
  36. ^ "Tomlinson: To avoid Death Star law, better win elections". May 22, 2023.
  37. ^ Hilburn, Greg. "Louisiana ranked worst state as pollution, poverty, violence among factors in U.S. News report". Shreveport Times. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  38. ^ Patton, Alicia. "Tennessee ranked among the unhealthiest states in America, according to Forbes". WKRN.COM. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "Arkansas 4th Most Pro-Life State in the Nation". Family Council. January 25, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  40. ^ "What Is the State Motto of New Mexico?". Wisegeek.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  41. ^ Tungate, Susan (August 17, 2012). "Thank God for Mississippi". SantaFe.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  42. ^ "How the UK compares to other Europeans on poverty". Liberal Conspiracy. January 17, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  43. ^ Ulmer, Sarah (March 10, 2018). "OPINION: Erase 'Thank God for Mississippi' from Wikipedia". Archived from the original on May 17, 2023.
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